Kandhamal: Two persons were arrested by the forest department personnel on charges of setting fire to Barba Reserve forest under Karada Forest range in Kandhamal district today.
The arrested persons have been identified as Sudam Pradhan and Kalia Naik of Kanadi village.
Reportedly, the officers were patrolling in the forest when they caught hold of the two accused persons while they were setting up fire in the reserve forest.
Earlier, today a woman was apprehended by the cops over the suspicion of setting fire to the forest.
“The department is on high alert and vigilant to protect the wild from the fire at various places. Besides, patrolling has been intensified to prevent further forest fire,” said DFO Laxminarayan Behera.
As many as four persons have been arrested in the last three days on charges of setting fire in the forest and a squad has been formed to protect the forest from fire, Behera added.
